Iranian Journal of Public Policy

Iranian Journal of Public Policy

War and Regime Change Strategy in Iran within Trump's Regional Policy

Document Type : Research Article

Author
Abbas Mossalanejad
Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jppolicy.2026.109035
Abstract
Since the inception of his first term in 2017, Donald Trump has consistently advocated for a policy of “war and regime change” toward Iran, a strategy he further prioritized during his second presidential term. Trump sought to induce fundamental shifts in the regional security architecture while simultaneously facilitating the rise of opposition groups within Iran. The Israeli-Iranian war of June and July 2025 can be viewed as the initial phase in the implementation of this strategy. In the aftermath of the June 2025 war, economic pressure on Iran intensified. Facing severe sanctions and economic constraints, Iran was compelled to adopt a policy of “shock therapy. Shock therapy is regarded as a precursor to social unrest and political instability. The primary research question of this article is: What strategy has Donald Trump employed toward Iran, and what are his core objectives? The article's hypothesis posits that “Trump centered his strategic policy on the strategies of war, regime change, and the restoration of U.S. regional hegemony.” This article utilizes the theories of war strategy and political structural change. These theorists, who are affiliated with conservative think tanks in the United States, have consistently emphasized the necessity of employing confrontational and challenging mechanisms against Iran through war, tactical military operations, security actions, and anti-Iran coalitions.
Keywords
War
Regime Change
Regional Hegemony
Economic Sanctions
Social Unrest
Political Capitulation
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Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 3
Autumn 2026
Pages 60-74